The City of Angleton Planning and Zoning Commission on Aug. 7 recommended that the City Council approve rezoning about 1.69 acres on the 1000 block of East Orange from a Light Industrial zoning district to Single-Family zoning, amended during the meeting to Single-Family 7.2.

The item affects property north of Ferris Street and includes a proposal to subdivide the parcel into lots for single-family homes. The commission voted to forward the rezoning recommendation to the City Council; the motion was amended on the floor from Single-Family 6.3 to Single-Family 7.2 and the amended motion carried by voice vote.

The rezoning request was introduced by city staff member Mr. Spriggs, who said the 1.69-acre site was currently zoned light industrial and that staff reviewed the request against the comprehensive plan and rezoning criteria. Mr. Spriggs told commissioners that the area is “mostly residential” except for some industrial uses near the railroad and that staff found no major conflicts with the rezoning standards provided in the staff report.

Resident Mary DuBose (identified in the meeting as living at 203 Evans) spoke during the public hearing, saying she has lived on Evans for more than 60 years and describing repeated backyard flooding that she associates with nearby new construction at the development she called Caliber Reserve. DuBose asked what protections or drainage measures will prevent new development on the rezoned property from increasing flooding on adjacent yards; she provided photos to the commission.

Mr. Candler, representing the applicant, said surface flow on the site generally drains north toward the railroad tracks and that detailed drainage controls would be addressed during the development stage. Mr. Spriggs added that a formal drainage plan and review would be required later in the process, including review by the Hamilton Drainage District and the city engineer; he said the developer cannot increase post-development discharge above pre-development flows and that detention or other measures would be evaluated when the developer submits engineering plans.

Commission discussion focused on lot sizes and which single-family district to apply. A motion to recommend the rezoning to Single-Family 6.3 was made and seconded; Commissioner Townsend moved to amend the motion to Single-Family 7.2, and the amendment passed. The commission instructed staff that approval at this stage allows the possibility of future subdivision but that detailed engineering (drainage plans, outfall locations, and any required detention) will be reviewed and approved later during platting and permitting.

The staff report states the proposal included a sketch layout of six lots with the largest lot exceeding 15,000 square feet and other lots above minimum zoning requirements; staff noted the sketch would be refined at plat. Mr. Spriggs said notification of property owners within 200 feet was completed.

The commission chair said the item will be scheduled for the City Council meeting on Aug. 27 for final action.

The commission’s action at this meeting was a recommendation to council; no final plat or construction approvals were granted. Detailed drainage design, permits, and any required approvals from the Hamilton Drainage District remain to be submitted and approved before on-site work could proceed.